Friday, September 14, 2018

Universe in the Park

Universe in the Park is a popular outreach program of the UW-Madison Astronomy Department and is predicated on a very simple idea: the best environment in which to introduce the general public to astronomy is outside under dark skies. The program begins with a 20-30 minute talk and slide presentation covering a broad view of astronomy and recent astronomical news. Following the presentation, a telescope is set up to view whatever astronomical objects are available. Question and answer period follows around the telescope.

Newport State Park is one of the best places to view the night sky as it is Wisconsin's only designated international dark sky park. Be sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket, flash lights or headlamps with a red lens (protects night vision). Meet at Lot 3, follow path to shelter building.

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Newport SP information

Newport State Park, northeast of Ellison Bay, is Wisconsin's only formally-designated wilderness park. With 2,373 acres and 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, the park offers quiet alternatives to bustling Door County. Explore 30 miles of hiking trails with hike-in campsites. There are evergreen and hardwood forests, wetlands and upland meadows.

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Endurance Challenge Race at Ottawa Lake and the Ice Age Trail

The North Face Endurance Challenge returns to Kettle Moraine State Forest at the Ottawa Lake Campground and Ice Age Trail on Saturday/Sunday, Sept. 15-16. A state park vehicle admission sticker is required by all participants and spectators. This large running event will limit the amount of parking available at the beach, boat launch, and picnic areas at Ottawa Lake. The largest crowds of people will be early in the morning until early afternoon each day.

For more information about the race or to register, see the Race website.

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Kettle Moraine SF - Southern Unit information

More than 22,000 acres of glacial hills, kettles, lakes, prairie restoration sites, pine woods and hardwood forests can be found in the Southern Unit, making this a popular area for a wide variety of visitors. The Forest is 30 miles long, extending from the village of Dousman, almost to the city of Whitewater. The forest headquarters is 3 miles west of the village of Eagle on State Highway 59.

GO! Discover: Spiders

Late summer is a great time to look for spiders. Drop in and play in a giant web, learn about Wisconsin spiders, and make your own spider web. Then head outside to check out the webs and web spinners at Havenwoods. Drop in anytime between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

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Havenwoods SF information

Havenwoods State Forest is Wisconsin's only urban state forest, featuring 237 acres of grasslands, woods and wetlands in the city of Milwaukee. Hike, run, bike and watch wildlife on over six miles of trails. Explore one of the four ponds, stroll over the 120-foot bridge or find a bench to sit and relax outdoors.

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Ink Fish Printing

Everyone is welcome to try the ancient art of "Gyotaku" (guy-yo-tah-koo) or ink fish printing. Paper and all supplies will be available; participants are encouraged to bring a t-shirt or bandana if they wish to print on those items rather than paper. Meet park volunteers at the park bathhouse building. All ages welcome; children must be accompanied by an adult. No pets allowed.

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Kohler-Andrae SP information

Kohler-Andrae State Park in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, is the home of majestic sand dunes, miles of golden beach, shimmering blue Lake Michigan water, whispering pines, an abundance of wildlife, and recreational activities for everyone. Kohler-Andrae State Park is one of the last natural preserves along the Lake Michigan shore, and is open for everyone to explore and enjoy.

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Weekend Wellness Walk

Looking for a beautiful place to get some exercise in? New this year, come join one of our naturalists for a Wellness Walk! We will walk the park's paths twice around, for a total distance of 2.3 miles. Feel free to join us for the whole hour, or just for one loop around! Groups are welcome, we'd love to see you on a weekly basis! Free program. All ages welcome. Meet at the South Entrance.

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Lakeshore SP information

In the heart of downtown Milwaukee, Lakeshore State Park provides a unique urban oasis with recreational and educational opportunities geared to the urban population. Lakeshore State Park offers great views of the city and Lake Michigan and has a reservable, overnight boat slip.

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Family Yoga!

CANCELLED

Willow River SP information

With nearly 3,000 acres of prairie, forests, and panoramic river scenery, Willow River State Park offers year-round recreation opportunities in western Wisconsin. The park is about five miles northeast of Hudson, and has a campground, a boat launch and a 400-foot beach and picnic area centered on 172-acre Little Falls Lake.

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Kayaking Tour of Mirror Lake

This fun, 90-minute kayaking trip will cover park geology, history and points of interest. We'll start at the boat landing and paddle through the Narrows to the Wild Rice Area. Kayak rentals are available for a fee at the boat landing and are first-come, first-served. Please arrive early to get set up with a kayak if you need to rent one. Tour will start at 10 a.m.

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Mirror Lake SP information

This park is named for its centerpiece, a lake which often is so Locationcalm that not a ripple marks its surface. The lake reflects a wooded shoreline with cliffs up to 50 feet high, a swimming beach, and wetlands that are home to a variety of wildlife. The park's 2,200 acres includes several picnic areas, wooded campsites, summer rentals, and a cabin for people with disabilities.

Let's Go Nutty! Exploring Nature Program

Round and smooth, oval and sticky - nuts come in all shapes, sizes and textures. We'll explore the autumn woods for nuts and learn from what trees and shrubs they came. There may be tasty nut treats to try. This program is best for families/groups with children between the ages of 6 and 12 years. Location: Ice Age Visitor Center (located off Hwy 67 half mile west of Dundee).

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Kettle Moraine SF - Northern Unit information

The Kettle Moraine Northern Unit is comprised of about 30,000 acres stretching 30 miles across Sheboygan, Fond du Lac and Washington Counties. The forest is managed for multiple use, including recreation management, sustainable forest products, water quality and soil protection, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, native biological diversity and aesthetics.

Saturday, September 15, 2018

A Rockin' Experiment

Learn about the geological history of the area and try an experiment. All ages welcome, but be aware-you may get wet! Meet at the Ice Age Center.

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Interstate SP information

Interstate is Wisconsin's oldest state park, established in 1900. Located along the picturesque St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, the park provides scenic views of the river and the steep-sided gorge known as the Dalles of the St. Croix. The Ice Age Interpretive Center features a film, photographs, murals and information

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Giants of the Forest

Try your hand at identifying the forest's trees! All ages welcome. Meet at the Ottawa Lake Contact Station for a short lesson before heading out on the Scuppernong Springs trail (S59 W36630 Cty Rd ZZ).

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Kettle Moraine SF - Southern Unit information

More than 22,000 acres of glacial hills, kettles, lakes, prairie restoration sites, pine woods and hardwood forests can be found in the Southern Unit, making this a popular area for a wide variety of visitors. The Forest is 30 miles long, extending from the village of Dousman, almost to the city of Whitewater. The forest headquarters is 3 miles west of the village of Eagle on State Highway 59.

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Scavenger Hunt

Drop by the Nature Center anytime from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to try an on-your-own scavenger hunt. Activity takes about twenty minutes. Prizes for trying.

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Peninsula SP information

Considered Wisconsin's most complete park, Peninsula offers 468 campsites, three group camps, a summer theater, an 18-hole golf course, sand beach, bike trails, a lighthouse and eight miles of Door County shoreline. The rollicking waves that skip towards Peninsula's sky high bluffs are part of the Niagara Escarpment.

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Animal Feeding Day

Watch the animals in the Nature Center have lunch! Watch the box turtles munch on some salad. See the watersnake slurp down a fish. Check out the treefrogs as they tackle a cricket or two. Happening at the Nature Center.

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Devil's Lake SP information

Founded in 1911, Devil's Lake is the third oldest state park in Wisconsin, the largest, and the most visited. Devil's Lake offers magnificent views from 500-foot quartzite bluffs overlooking a 360-acre lake. Enjoy lakeshore picnic areas, sandy swimming beaches, 29 miles of hiking trails, or ease into the backcountry solitude. Devil's Lake is a beautiful year-round park with an intriguing natural history along the 1,000-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

Protecting Wisconsin's Wildlife: Fellow Mortals Animal Hospital

Join us for a special presentation from the Fellow Mortals Animal Hospital! Learn more about the work that they do and some facts about Wisconsin's fascinating species. Meet the Fellow Mortals education animals, including a saw-whet owl! This hour-long program will take place in the Forest Headquarters amphitheater.

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Kettle Moraine SF - Southern Unit information

More than 22,000 acres of glacial hills, kettles, lakes, prairie restoration sites, pine woods and hardwood forests can be found in the Southern Unit, making this a popular area for a wide variety of visitors. The Forest is 30 miles long, extending from the village of Dousman, almost to the city of Whitewater. The forest headquarters is 3 miles west of the village of Eagle on State Highway 59.

Lake Michigan Education Series -- Learn about the Lake Sturgeon and Other Native Fish

Walk the park and learn about some of the issues facing Lake Michigan and our freshwater resources. Topics change weekly, so come to one or come to all! Free program. All ages welcome. Content geared toward middle school ages to adult. Meet at the North Entrance.

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Lakeshore SP information

In the heart of downtown Milwaukee, Lakeshore State Park provides a unique urban oasis with recreational and educational opportunities geared to the urban population. Lakeshore State Park offers great views of the city and Lake Michigan and has a reservable, overnight boat slip.

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Albert The Fox Snake Meet and Greet

Come meet Albert the Fox Snake as the Park Naturalist tours the beach and picnic area with him. They will be visiting with guests and sharing the many benefits snakes have on the environment. Bring your camera, and questions about snakes! You can even feel Albert's scaly skin while learning all about his diet, behavior and other fun facts!

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Willow River SP information

With nearly 3,000 acres of prairie, forests, and panoramic river scenery, Willow River State Park offers year-round recreation opportunities in western Wisconsin. The park is about five miles northeast of Hudson, and has a campground, a boat launch and a 400-foot beach and picnic area centered on 172-acre Little Falls Lake.

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Hemlock Trail

Meet at Weborg Shelter. Park at Weborg day use lot. Traverse past a sedge meadow wetland and coniferous woods discovering park history trees, and geology along the way. Moderate hiking. About two miles.

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Peninsula SP information

Considered Wisconsin's most complete park, Peninsula offers 468 campsites, three group camps, a summer theater, an 18-hole golf course, sand beach, bike trails, a lighthouse and eight miles of Door County shoreline. The rollicking waves that skip towards Peninsula's sky high bluffs are part of the Niagara Escarpment.

Note: Event dates and times are subject to change or cancellation. Please verify event status, dates and times prior to attendance. Some events, such as candlelight skis/hikes are very popular, and access to these events may be restricted at times when parking capacity has been reached.